The offset-path property defines a geometric path that an element can follow for offset positioning, serving as the foundation of CSS motion-path behavior. It tells the browser which curve, line or shape should be used to compute the element’s visual position along that route; that computed position is then applied to the element during painting so the element appears to travel along the path. Think of offset-path as the track or route, while other offset-related properties determine where on that track an element sits and how it is oriented.

In practice the property is used in tandem with the properties that control the element’s progress along and orientation relative to the path: offset-distance controls how far along the path the element is placed, and offset-rotate controls its rotation relative to the path’s tangent. Because the path-based positioning is applied at paint/compositing time, it normally does not change the document flow or the layout of other elements; it is a visual transformation layered on top of the element’s laid-out box. For that reason it often composes similarly to other visual transforms and can interact with, or be combined with, a regular transform.

Common uses for offset-path include creating intricate motion effects, moving UI elements along non-linear tracks, or animating complex entrance and exit behaviors. It integrates naturally with CSS animation and transition systems — you typically animate the property that represents progress along the path (for example animation keyframes animating offset-distance, or a transition on the same) so the element moves smoothly along the specified route. From a performance and accessibility standpoint, it’s best used where the motion is primarily visual: combining path motion with composited transforms and limiting layout-changing animations helps preserve rendering performance and predictable keyboard/assistive technology behavior.